Archive for October, 2013

When I first heard Joe Satriani would be making a stop (Oct. 25) as part of the inaugural season at the new Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles, California, I knew I had to be there. You can't miss seeing one of the greatest guitarists on the planet, especially when it is virtually in you backyard, as the venue is probably a mere 10 minutes away (with traffic)! Add to that the opening act Living Colour, it was sure to be an amazing night of music.

After a spirited opening set by Living Colour, with vocalist Corey Glover wrapping things up by coming out into the audience as they closed with 'Cult of Personality,' the anticipation for Joe and his stellar touring band rose, as the audience was ready to get their ass kicked musically.

The show was the next to last date on Joe's 'Unstoppable Momentum' tour, backing his fantastic 14th solo album which was released earlier this year. Satch and his signature JS Ibanez guitars were joined on this tour by Mike Keneally on keyboards and guitar (Frank Zappa, Dweeil Zappa, Steve Vai), drummer Marco Minnemann (Adrian Belew, Steve Wilson) and bassist Bryan Beller (Dethklok, Dweezil Zappa). The entire band are amazing, almost as technically proficient as their boss.

The set included 8 of the 11 tracks on the 'Unstoppable Momentum' album, kicking off the show with the spirited 'Jumpin' In.' A Joe Satriani audience is unlike any other, seemingly in sync with the band and always giving full attention to the mastery of the playing they are seeing. All the amazing tracks from the past showed up in the set as well. 'Flying in a Blue Dream,' 'Ice 9,' 'The Crush of Love,' 'Satch Boogie,' 'Always With Me, Always With You,' 'Time Machine,' and 'Surfing With the Alien,' added to the truly unparalleled musical experience. Add to that the visual backdrops of scenery and images from Joe's past, and it all took you to a different place.

The joy felt at the show was captured in a feeling of satisfaction and amazement that carried over long after leaving the venue. Joe is a Mozart on the guitar, a Beethoven for his generation, and the only one who can carry an entire 92 date world tour with all his fantastic instrumental music. True skill and technical finesse were on display, and it was a pleasure to witness it.

Setlist - Vina Robles Amphitheatre 10/25/13:
Jumpin' In
Devil's Slide
Flying in a Blue Dream
Unstoppable Momentum
The Weight of the World
Ice 9
The Crush of Love
I'll Put a Stone on Your Cairn
A Door into Summer
Lies and Truths
Satch Boogie
Shine On American Dreamer
Three Sheets to the Wind
Cryin'
Drum Solo
Time Machine
Always with Me, Always with You
Surfing with the Alien
Encore:
Crowd Chant
Summer Song

Special thanks to Michelle Gutenstien and Melissa Dragich-Cordero of MAD Ink PR!

An epic Alter Bridge Box Set that includes 27 discs of DVDs, CDs, Blu-Ray & Vinyl Limited edition material is now available for pre-order. Only be 3,000 made in the entire world, with each country having a limited quantity available. Pre-order prior to November 1st, you can have your book personalized with your name engraved inside of it in silver.

Made for the diehard AB fan, the set includes every CD and DVD the band has ever released, plus new discs of unreleased footage during the band's career and footage currently being shot on the Fortress Tour.

Included in this limited edition collection are 180 gram LP's of "Live From Amsterdam" and "Live From Wembley". These are limited pressings and will be true collectables.

The Allman Brothers Band, Jackson Browne, Natalie Cole and more will pay tribute to legendary singer, songwriter and musician Gregg Allman at a special concert next year. "All My Friends: Celebrating the Songs and Voice of Gregg Allman," will take place at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on January 10th, and it will be filmed and recorded for a future release. It will feature once-in-a-lifetime collaborations by friends and admirers coming together to pay tribute to Allman’s music.

The initial lineup includes GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, Americana, W.C. Handy Blues and Dove Award nominated and winning musicians: The Allman Brothers Band, Trace Adkins, Jackson Browne, Eric Church, Natalie Cole, Brantley Gilbert, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Jaimoe, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Martina McBride, Pat Monahan, Sam Moore, Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Don Was and Widespread Panic. There will be surprise special guests, along with additional performers, to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET on November 1.

The show is promising surprise special guests, as well as additional performers who will be announced in coming weeks. Tickets will go on sale on November 1st.

Allman accepted a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for his work with the Allman Brothers Band, the group he cofounded in 1969 alongside his late brother Duane, in 2012. That May, he revealed he'd gotten engaged to a 24-year-old named Shannon. He also released his memoir, My Cross to Bear, which he has since sold the film rights to serve as the basis of a biopic by the filmmakers of the recent CBGB movie.

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the Special Limited Edition 6DVD set of Queen’s Live At Wembley Stadium – 25th Anniversary Edition, Queen Rock Montreal, On Fire: Live At The Bowl, and Live In Rio' on November 19.

Exclusive to this package, Live In Rio features the band performing at the “Rock In Rio” festival in January 1985. Dazzling 250,000 fans, the setlist features such favorites as “Seven Seas of Rhye” and “Liar,” while spotlighting 5 songs from The Works, which they were supporting at the time.

Live at Wembley Stadium – 25th Anniversary Edition was originally released as a separate DVD in the US on March 12, 2013, and features two sell-out shows at London’s famed Wembley Arena in 1986. This DVD includes the bonus film “The Magic Tour,” which features interviews with Brian May and Roger Taylor filmed in 2011, where the members reflect on this 1986 tour.

Queen Rock Montreal, which was filmed in 1981, was the group’s only concert to be shot on 35mm full cinema format film (they were the first band to do so). Originally titled, “We Will Rock You,” this film was first launched at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1983. North America followed suit in September 1984, making Queen Rock Montreal the first commercially available film of Queen in concert. This was originally released on DVD on August 3, 2007.

On Fire – Live At The Bowl, which was re-issued on DVD this past May, features Queen in the midst of their 1982 “Hot Space” Tour. Plucked from over 60 sell-out concerts in the world’s biggest arenas, this show includes a second disc with bonus interviews, a photo gallery, and additional performances from Tokyo and Vienna.

All the greats are on full display in these concerts: “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To Love,” “Under Pressure,” “We Are The Champions,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Another One Bites The Dust,” “Who Wants To Live Forever,” “Radio Ga Ga” and many more.

The late Janis Joplin will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this Monday, November 4 and it will be streamed live at www.walkoffame.com. "Janis Joplin is an iconic figure and her songs will always be remembered by her fans around the world," said Hollywood Walk of Fame producer, Ana Martinez. "We are excited to add a unique tribute to Janis by her friend Kris Kristofferson who will perform a special acoustic version of "Me and Bobby McGee," which Janis famously recorded in 1970 yet was released posthumously in 1971, scoring Joplin a number one hit."

Emcee Leron Gubler, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and guest speakers Kris Kristofferson, Record label President Clive Davis, and Janis' siblings, Michael and Laura Joplin, will help unveil the star at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Musician's Institute. Janis will receive the 2,510th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Recording. The ceremony will be streamed live exclusively on at 11:30 a.m. PDT at www.walkoffame.com